Anyone to the far left is a moderate to the LA times. Bush is a rabid, right wing, divisive conservative.
From the end of the article:
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But on several fronts — such as restructuring Social Security, limiting federal spending and nominating the unwavering conservative Bolton for the U.N. — Bush is pushing moderates to the limits of their political and philosophical comfort levels.
Antonia Ferrier, Snowe's communications director, expressed a common sentiment among GOP moderates when she said, "The senator will try to support the president when she can, but there are times when she has to do what is in the best interest of her state."
You are correct. Bush IS a GOP "moderate".
The article should have read "Clashes Growing between Bush and GOP RINO Leftists".
But in Liberal Journalistspeak, you ALWAYS refer to liberals as "moderates", moderates as "conservatives", and conservatives as "far right-wing extremists".
Well, I think he is more accurately seen as a mixed bag. On spending, immigration and entitlements, he is quite liberal. On judicial appointments, he has been solidly conservative and has supported his nominees. On national defense, he has been solidly conservative. Where he is actually a conservative, the Old Media and the Left have gone bonkers. Where he isn't, they don't have much to say.
Brownstein is pretty much a communist, so his idea of moderate republican is a liberal democrat.